Vista compatibility issues - By MM

application test on vista :)

from WinCustomize Forums
Well and Now here is Vista Review Part 2 -the compatibility issues
here i will write about the most common used programs and if there is errors in
installation , use ,.... etc

i have tried many programs and their different versions to try making a full
resource for you about compatibility issues so it took me a while after my
Vista New Features Review

First to Start with is the security programs to clear some points in that wide discussion
i have tested many programs of different Companies



1- Symantec Products as you see in the screen shot Vista refuses even starting installation
for any Symantec internet security and included products dated from 2003 to 2006



- and so i tried Symantec NIS 2007 .. now NIS was the one to refuse installation!!!



2- & for McAfee2006 Vista Refuses to install this version



- But in this screenshot Vista accepted the last version of McAfee security suite 2007



3- & "Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 14" went with no problems all



4- and if we take a look about ad wares protection programs I have tried one program in that
field (well maybe i didn't try another program as I see adaware is doing all the job perfectly)
i simply didn't find any errors in SE version 1.05 & 1.06 installations






Let us enter another important field specially for the designers and skinners : the Graphics Programs
We Will talk about:
Adobe Photoshop CS2 , Paint Shop pro , ACD 8 Pro , WindowBlinds 5 & Skin studio



1- here i started with Adobe Photoshop everything was working perfectly here until i came to the update part
as u see from this screenshot there is an error in the PS update but for truth there isn't any other errors
except that update



2- in this screenshot here is my test for the Paint Shop pro well after setup version XI i launched the program
it said that this version is expired !!! and so after a little thinking i tried to right click
the program and choose run as admin (although i am really logged on using admin account )
and... it is done everything went right after that



3- and ACD while running installation and every time you will run ACD Vista will give warning about compatibility issues
but.... i have been testing it for a reasonable while and nothing happened every thing is working smoothly without any
errors

4- and the well Known WindowBlinds 5 Vista will give warning about compatibility issues i tried to pass this warning
and continue installation but this time this didn't work at all
by the way skinstudio worked if you still wants to make skins for XP using Vista


and also we will Not forget the Internet related Products here
of course Vista comes with the great IE7 and i will not talk about it here (of course there isn't any compatibility issues here
but also if u still want to read about IE7 you can read my Vista Review you will find it here in the same site
and many other sites that is discussing Vista you will find it under the name of "Vista Review BY MM" )
and now but to the other products

Messengers:



1- well first to start with and the most strange is Microsoft Windows Live messenger yes it didn't work (at least in my test)
when you try to sign in it gives an error message as u see in the screen shot



- but when I run the troubleshooter it didn't find anything interfering with its connection !!!!



2- Google talk working perfectly

Browsers:



1- here is opera 9 without any problems



2- and the new growing FireFox without any problems too


well and as i thought for zipping programs there isn't any errors i have tried Winzip and Winrare and i think they don't
need screenshots we all know them well

a small tip: if you tried a program in Vista and it didn't work don't give up that ey
but take an extra moment trying to pass compatibility warning if there is any and
try also right clicking the lunch file (exe) and choose run as admin
that what i did with ACD & Paint Shop Pro
did i hear you saying that this will be a silly thing to do every time!!
well vista is doing such things due to a new feature that is called "user account control"
Microsoft thought this will be safer that vista will always ask your permission to do tasks
but you can easily turn this off from the user accounts in the control panel

and if you want to know more about Vista features you can read my review under the name "Vista Review By MM" you will find it
here too

at last thanks for your Valuable time reading my compatibility Review hope you enjoyed it and also wish i have answered many
of your questions

18,265 views 29 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nice writeup, it's good to see that the programs I use work fine

Btw, the PC-Cillin you have, is that a European version or something, as I never heard of PC-Cillin 14 but the interface on the screenshot looks exactly like PC-Cillin 2006 that I have?

Are you going to do a similar look at games? I'd be interested to know about game compatibility and performance issues.

Also, have you tested any extensions for firefox? I expect since it (FF) works fine, its extensions would also work, nonetheless, some of them get quite complex and it is a new OS after all so it'd be interesting to test I think.

Thank you for these articles, I appreciate the work you're doing.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
MM, You've really gone the extra mile here and offered a new look at Vista as well as invaluable tips and experience. I didn't have to install Vista or work out any issues, all I had to do was spend a few minutes reading your Reviews. Thank you very much. You're doing us a great favor and it's free for us. Unheard of. I for one will keep on the lookout for any posts from you, as well as re-reading and studying the existing works. You, sir, are a true Knight of the Realm.
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Is the NIS you tried a pre release, I can't believe they'd release their 2007 range and not be Vista compatible
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
With my clean install of 5744, I have had a couple new problems crop up that I haven't
had before.

1.) With the Taskbar at the top of screen, I'm getting a 1/4" high translucent stripe
across the screen (just under the taskbar). Comments @ Neowin have stated a similar problem.
2.) On previous versions, PC-cillan would load their beta version of "2007" for vista.
Now that 2007 is available for purchase for WinXP, the version used for Vista is now
called "14", which Maged Media stated above. On my machine it pops up with the usual
update screen as before, uploads the updates, but will not install them! I get an error
stating that an internet connection cannot be found ..... weird. I've uninstalled several
times with the same results.

Everything else seems to be running fine so far.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
whiterabbit007 , thanks alot for your nice comment
as Master brewman in post 4 wrote The trend Micro version for vista is called ver 14,
i have just tried FireFox extensions for you (FasterFox and FlashGot) they are working
fine without any errors
and about games i will try making a coming review about Vista performane with games

Citizen seldomseen Thank you very much for your wonderful words very much appreciated

Hell Cat thanks for the comment this NIS version is the latest version from symantec Site

Master brewman thanks for the comment & about Updating pc Cillin 14 about connection error it gave me that error too
in the first times i tried updating but it is now working perfectly with the automatic update
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I can't believe they'd release their 2007 range and not be Vista compatible 

Norton products access the Windows kernel and as such currently will not run on Vista without some serious reprogramming (or MS removing kernel protection, which is not likely).

Norton stuff is the worst virus out there so I suppose kernel protection does work   

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nice write up, but apart from the security apps which shouldn't work due to kernel protection, some of the issues you are reporting are due (probably) to your setup, not Vista as such. Of course others will get different issues.

Also, Live Messenger servers were down quite a while in various areas... Live Messenger works fine on RC2 for me.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
AND I HAVE TREND MICRO INTERNET SECURITY 2006!!! ABOUT TO UPGRADE TO THE 2007 WHEN THAT COMES OUT. TREND MICRO IS THE BEST OF THEM ALL!!! I GET ONE OR TWO MAYBE EVEN THREE UPDATES A DAY AND IF A VIRUS OR NETWORK VIRUS COMES THROUGH MY COMPUTER INTERNET TRAFFIC WILL BE HALTED AND IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY TRY TO DELETE THE VIRUS. IF IT IS UNABLE TO DELETE OR CLEAN IT IT WILL QUARANTINE IT!! I CANT BELIEVE TREND MICRO WENT PERFECT FOR VISTA. THIS IS A GOOD THING. NOW WHEN I GET VISTA I KNOW MY TREND MICRO WILL WORK!!!
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Maybe we can not use the Cap Locks key next time. It's very hurtful on the eyes.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well first thanks all for the comments

Septimus the issues i reported here don't depend on the installation at all

and i am with you Island Dog the Caps lock is really hard on eyes
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I cannot believe you bought into this "vista" junk. This is Me all over again. Get yourself a legitimate Windows XP 64-bit and customize at will. Soon the vendors will see the real money is with the developers and 64-bit is the best! "vista" is full of bells amd whistles intended for the mediocre user. Get a grip!!!!
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Windows Live Messenger Works for me. Also if you want free antivirus software that is desighned to work with Vista try avast! antivirus v4.7 Home Edition. http://www.avast.com/
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think one compatability issue will be the price not working in too well with a lot of peoples wallets/bank accounts. I just heard that here in Oz the full version of Vista Ultimate will retail at $751 (US $440 approx), the Upgrade Pack at $580 US $262 approx) . That's close to $300 more than XP Pro, and there's a lot of groaning and complaining going on about it....even some Vista beta/RC testers who've quite liked it are saying (at that price) they'll be sticking with XP

I know this is a bit off topic, but for those looking to purchase Vista, price will be the determining factor in whether they get it or not.


Oh well, if those are the going prices, it looks like I'll have to settle for the Vista Ultimate upgrade.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I know this is a bit off topic, but for those looking to purchase Vista, price will be the determining factor in whether they get it or not.


I think price will be a factor for me. $400 for a Vista edition is a lot of money.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Having worked with Vista for a couple
of months now, I don't see any compelling
reason to make me pony up the money.
I'll be sticking with XP pro.
It gives me everything I need and
it's been rock solid.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've been running Vista RC1 for awhile and find it to be quite nice. I wouldn't have any problems replacing XP except for 2 major issues for me: 1) It's going to take some time for software/hardware developers to update drivers that are compatible with Vista, and 2) as others have already mentioned, there is the cost factor. It's a bit too steep for even the upgrade versions, especially "Ultimate".
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I think price will be a factor for me. $400 for a Vista edition is a lot of money.

It's a bit too steep for even the upgrade versions, especially "Ultimate".


This is the general reaction when most people learn of the price, though some are more vocal about what MS can do with Vista. I wonder if MS is listening to the general consensus...whether they'll rethink their pricing policy in order to sell more units to a greater number of consumers??????? I certainly hope so - it would be a shame to see Vista go the way of ME, not because it's a poor OS, but because it is too over-priced for the average user.

For $751 here in Oz, we can buy a package deal PC with XP Pro installed, which would be highly unlikely with Vista installed, so the average user isn't going to be tempted to into purchasing (just) an OS for an equivelant price. Shoot, we can even pick up a reasonable second-hand car for around 700 - 800 bucks, and being that car prices are often the benchmark on value for money, me thinks Vista won't fare so well here.....even Vista Home Premium will struggle to sell at AU$455, when we can pick up XP Pro Upgrade for AU$120 these days.

I will eventually get Vista, but it'll have to go on hold until much later in 2007 now, as the wife and I are moving from Tasmania to Queensland in February '07.

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I do agree with you Starkers. I have been running the beta for many months, and I do "like" Vista. It's just hard to justify a $400 price tag.

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
My voice goes with you too
although Vista is a real move from XP specially in Aero design and the redesign of many Main structures like My Computer .. etc
but $400 will be a very high Price to move From Xp which is satisfying all our needs untill now
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Perhaps the huge Vista price tag is because Mr Gates has lost touch with what money actually is to the rest of the world. I don't know that someone with that much money can realistically expect to grasp that the vast majority of people who use his products can't afford that much for an OS
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Perhaps the huge Vista price tag is because Mr Gates has lost touch with what money actually is to the rest of the world. I don't know that someone with that much money can realistically expect to grasp that the vast majority of people who use his products can't afford that much for an OS


Funny you say that, I was thinking very much the same thing....that Bill Gates has lost touch with the real world. I think a part of his mission statement was along the lines of making cost effective computing available to more homes/average users. So what the heck happened to that idea = Vista prices?

For an extra $500 (on top of the AU751), I can get an 2.2Ghz duo core Intel Mac with 2gigs of RAM and 17" monitor, loaded with the Leopard OS and ready to go out of the box. As much as I like Vista, it would be better value for money in the end to just add the 500 bucks and go with the Mac. I was going to get Vista first then a Mac, but now I'm seriously considering going the other way and waiting until Vista has been on the shelves for a while.

It's ironic, isn't it, how MS zealots will say Macs are over priced and catering to an elitist market....compared to the latest version of OS.X (under AU$300), Vista's price tag comes across as being somewhat elitist to me. Suppose we'll just have to wait and see if a new kind of snob is created..."Oh, you're only running XP, I have Vista Ultimate and it's so much better, perhaps I shouldn't be talking with you."
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is ironic; I am buliding system for my niece who goes off to college next fall and I have been deliberating what to include as an OS because I don't want some frat-boy putting her down because she doesn't have vista! I have a feeling if I put vista on there she will end up with an OS full of bugs where Winows XP 64-bit would suffice and allow her the creativity of working with many third party apps. The rest of the system is also top notch. Believe it or not I even found a 'pink' case she wanted.

But all that aside, the price will be the determining factor in this build and vista sounds like it has an incredible price tag. I'd rather buy her a subscription to Stardock and give her an OS allows a lot of customization ability. I am hearing in this discussion the tweaks in vista are simply not worth the money at this time.

I have had a woderful experience with Windows XP 64-bit and at $70.00 for this or a little more for XP Pro (tuth, I found it for that price OEM)I will probably go that route.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If anyone wants me to, I'm an engineer with Dell and have been in MS Vista class for the past couple of weeks, from a design and engineering perspective. We've been testing various programs and I'll update with a complete list what we've found to work and not work.

On the topic of cost factor - I know that Dell and other manufacturers are going to be offering free upgrades for a while, depending on when you purchased your system. I'll post official specs later this weekend.

As far as security, as many have mentioned, most wont work because the kernel has been rewritten as well as the load up sequence. NT loader is no longer needed unless dual booting, and there are many major tools built into the recovery console. FYI - Recovery console was not written by MS, but by the design team of Winternals (sorry, tired and can't remember name of company) so its rock solid - Spent a week crashing and recovering system files. Restore is awesome, as it uses Shadow Copying, which is closer to a Diff backup and can be running constantly.

One note - if you create a dual boot scenario - and use Vista's restore point app, all of your restore points in XP will no longer work - due to the new shadow method.
I'll post technical details shortly - on morphine for my back and I'm about to fall asleep.

Security - One that wasnt listed above that I saw, was CA's Etrust - they have a beta out for Vista and free upgrades for a year.

Nero will not install or work

Were able to get Messenger live to work with no problems. RC2 by the way, has major improvements over RC1 - try it - fixed all my "bangs" and drivers that couldn't work in RC1

One thing to note - I installed 16 toolbars on IE, and then use restore point and it removed all of the toolbars, left the directories, but cleaned it up.

Daemon tools has been working with no problems.

There are many items that will not run with full security, even as an admin, unless right clicking and selecting "run as admin" for added security. The "Run" command is one such option.

You can copy and paste in Repair Tool- which is cool, among other things. Again, have 400 pages of Microsoft articles that were passed out to the L2 team at MS and will share some of the info that I'm allowed to -

Not sure if any of this helped or was interesting, but wanted to give my 10 cents worth - too tired to go into more.

One last note - Had no problems with Divx, Real, or many of the other players. One thing I did find, is even if you install a 3rd party plater, Windows still defaults to their player, even if you set them to be. Havent really tried to find work around, but will post.

Thanks for letting me ramble - WIll post a more detailed and organized document sometime this weekend when I study for my Vista Cert that I have to take by Tues.

Anyone care to know the official release dates and "Pay a fine and sell" release dates? Will see if I can post -

Night All,
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks LanWarrior for the valuable additional info and waiting for your post